Bedclothes support



March 16 1926. 1,577,089

R. WHITFORDI BEDCLOTHES SUPPORT Filed Oct. 20," 1924 Patented Mar. 16, 1926.,

OFFICE.

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Application filed October 20, 1924. Serial No. 744,676.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUTH Wnrrrono, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waterloo, and State of New Hampsh1re, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bedclothes Supports, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bed clothes supports, and has particular reference to a device for supporting the bed clothes 1n an elevated position above the feet of the occu- ,pan't of a bed so as to keep the feet 0001 n the summer or relieve the feet of an invalid or other person from the pressure of the bed clothing.

The object of the invention 1s to provide a simple, eflicient and inexpensive type of devicev of this character which is self-supporting without attachment to the bedstead, and hence removable to allow the bed to be cleaned or made-up without the release of fastenings, and whlch is of unitary construc tion, capable of being readily cleaned whenever required, -and devoid of surfaces in which dust or insects may lodge, thereby furnishing a sanitary type of device equally well adapted for hospital, Sanitarium or household purposes.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference bein had to the accompanying drawing, in w ich:

F1gure 1 is a side elevation of a bedstead illustrating the use of the device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view, of the complete device removed from the bedstead.

Figure 3 is a similar view of theframe of the device.

In carryin my invention into practice, I

- provide a be clothes support 1 comprising a base portion 2, an n right portion 3 rising from the rear edge 0 the base portion, and a top or guard portion 4 projecting forwardly from the upper edge of the upright portion 2 and of a width somewhat less than the width of the base portion 2 and arranged to overhang the same. The portions 2 and 3 are of oblong rectangular form and the portion 4 of similar form in plan, the portlons 2 and 3 being also fiat or substantially flat throughout their length and width,

while the portion 4 extends inwardly and downwardly' from the portion 3 on a curved hne or at a proper angle to form a recelvmg compartment for the feet, as hereinafter described.

The device is made conforming accurately or substantially to the width of -the bed to which it is to be appl ed, and 1s a unitary structure, all the portions being integral or fixed with relat1on to each other, and the surfaces of said portions being continuously smooth throughout or devoid of crevices in which insects or dust may lodge, the construction also in practice of a length being such that the-device may be washed or otherwise cleansed when necessary, so

that a sanitary type of device is produced.

The devlce may be made of any material suitable for the purpose, but, as herein dis closed, comprises a unitary frame 5 of suitable shape to produce the portions mentioned and which may be made of wire or other suitable material, and is provided with a covering 6 of canvas, ducking, rubberized cloth, or other suitablematerial presenting a smooth or substantially smooth surface, as set forth, and which is capable of being washed or' otherwise cleaned and thereby maintained in a sanitary condition. The covering 6 may be of single or double thickness and sewed or hemmed around the rod like portions of the frame 5, so as to produce a staunch type of structure adapted to maintain its form and effectually withstand the pressure of heavy bed clothing without deflection from its normal shape. If desired, the covering 6 may be of a removable type, so that when the covering in use is worn or damaged beyond'ordinary repair, a new covering may be readily and conveniently substituted in its place.

In the use of the device, it is applied to a bedstead 7 as shown in Figure 1, the base portion 2 being disposed so as to rest upon the rails or slats of the bedstead 7 adjacent to its foot and so as to underlie the mattress 8, the Weight of the mattress being utilized for holding the device in position. When so arranged the upright portion 3 will project above the line of the mattress parallel with the foot of the bed and the portion 4 will overhang the lower end of the mattress and thereby form a chamber 'or compartment to receive the feet of the occupant of and supporting the bed clothes above the feet of the wearer so that the feet may be kept cool, and so that the feet may also be relieved from the pressure of the clothes. The inward and downward curvature of the part 4, however, allows the bed clothes to drape themselves along a line of curvature so as to come in contact with the legs of the wearer at a desired point above the ankle, allowing, all portions of the .body, whenever required, with the exception of the feet, to be directly covered. The underlying space or compartment formed by the portion 4 allows the occupant to have ready movement of his feet without interference therefrom and the relatively soft material of which the covering 6 is formed obviates any liability of injury to the feet when the latter come in contact therewith.

The advantages of my device are, that it provides a unitary structure capable of being easily and conveniently handled as such, and in which the necessity of folding or unfolding portions in applying and removing the same is entirely avoided. The device is also self-supporting, as it is held in position by the mattress, thus entirely avoiding the use of fastenings to secure the same to the bedstead. Inasmuch as the me tallic frame may also be enameled, painted or nickel-plated, the device is free from elements liable to rust and stain the supporter or bed clothing, and, as the 0011- struction of the device is simple, it may be manufactured and furnished at a comparatively low cost. Inasmuch, also, as the device has a certain degree of flexibility, it is not liable to injure the feet of the occupant of the bed when coming in contact therewith, and as it is devoid of a multiplicity of parts and presents a smooth surface, it may always be maintained in a sanitary condition, as hereinbefore described.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim:

A bed clothes support having a frame structure, comprising a U-shaped base portion formed of a front longitudinal rod and transverse end rods, upright rods rising from the rear ends of said transverse end rods at the rear corners of the base portion, a rear longitudinal rod uniting the ends of said transverse end rods and said upright rods at their points of junction, said upright rods terminating at their upper ends in forwardly and downwardly curved top extremities, a longitudinal rod connecting said extremities of the upright rods and forming therewith a U-shaped canopy frame portion of the same length but of less width than the base portion and overhanging the rear half thereof only, and a body of flexible material closing the spaces and covering the elements of said unitary structure.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

RUTH WVHITFORD- 

